The hormone responsible for stress. Nine blood indicators that will tell you everything about you. Endocrine response to acute stress

Hormones - biologically active substances- regulate all processes in the body. Energy metabolism, physical and mental activity are under the control of these bioregulators, which are synthesized and released into the blood by the endocrine glands. Mental activity is also under the influence of the hormonal system. The emotions that we feel - joy, fear, hate, love - are regulated by the release of various substances into the blood. Stressful conditions are largely subject to the influence of the endocrine glands.

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Stress hormone - what is it?

There is no single hormone that is responsible for the response to a stressful stimulus. In the human body, this function is performed by several biologically active substances. The strongest effect is:

• cortisol;
• epinephrine and norepinephrine;
• prolactin.

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone of the adrenal cortex. Determines the changes that occur in the body during a period of stress.

It is produced in the fascicular zone of the adrenal cortex under the influence of ACTH - adrenocorticotropic hormone of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is located in the brain and is the main endocrine gland that changes the activity of all other glands. The synthesis of ACTH is regulated by other substances - corticoliberin (increases) and corticostatin (reduces it), which are produced by the hypothalamus. An increase in the level of the hormone in the blood can occur due to a change in the function of any component of this complex system. Self-regulation is carried out according to the principle of negative feedback: an increase in the level of cortisol in the blood depresses the pituitary gland; an increase in ACTH reduces the production of corticoliberin and increases the production of corticostatin.

Production and regulation of hormones



Cortisol and its functions

The name "stress hormone" is used to describe cortisol, because it causes most of the changes in the body in this situation. It has quite a lot of functions, since the receptors for it are located on in large numbers cells. Main target organs:

• liver;
• muscles;
• central nervous system, sense organs;
• the immune system.

significant effect on the central nervous system and sense organs: cortisol causes increased excitability of the brain and analyzers. With an increase in its level in the blood, the brain begins to perceive stimuli as more dangerous, and the response to them increases. With such an influence on the body, a person may behave inappropriately - more excited or aggressive.

In the liver, there is an increased production of glucose from the components (gluconeogenesis), the breakdown of glucose (glycolysis) is inhibited, and its excess is stored in the form of a glycogen polymer. Glycolysis is also inhibited in the muscles, glycogen is synthesized from glucose and stored in muscle tissue. It has a depressing effect on the immune system of the blood: it reduces the activity of allergic and immune reactions, inflammatory processes.



Normal indicators in the analysis

Different laboratories give their indicators of the norm of hormones. This is due to the fact that each of them uses its own specific reagents to determine the concentration of a particular substance. When self-testing in the results, you should pay attention to normal performance laboratories - they are usually written side by side.

The secretion of cortisol undergoes changes throughout the day. In the morning, the highest concentration in the blood test is recorded. By the evening, its production falls and minimal indicators are observed. This is partly why at this time a person feels more tired and less prone to productive activity. Although many other biologically active substances are also responsible for such changes.

Age also affects cortisol secretion:

Level glucocorticoids may be elevated physiologically in women during pregnancy. While the whole body undergoes restructuring, the endocrine system takes a significant "blow" on itself. During pregnancy, it is considered normal to increase indicators 2-5 times higher than normal, provided there are no significant negative effects.



Pathological changes and their treatment

The most common pathologies:

• Addison's disease;
• syndrome and Itsenko-Cushing's disease;
• congenital hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex.

Addison's disease

Addison's disease is manifested by constant fatigue, weakness, weight loss, hypotension, mental disorders - decreased mood, irritability, depression, impaired skin pigmentation - vitiligo. It is associated with a decrease in the synthesis of glucocorticoids due to damage to the adrenal cortex or pituitary gland. In this case, substitution therapy is used: the deficiency is compensated for by the dosage forms of the biological substance.



Vitiligo

There may also be a "withdrawal syndrome" of glucocorticoids, when, after prolonged use of hormonal drugs, they abruptly stop using them. Due to a sharp decrease in their concentration in the blood, symptoms similar to those of Addison's disease occur. It is impossible to stop taking the drugs abruptly; experienced doctors reduce the dosage slowly, over the course of weeks.

Itsenko-Cushing syndrome

Syndrome and disease of hypercortisolism, or Itsenko-Cushing, are manifested by obesity with deposits in the upper body, on the face (moon-shaped face), neck. The upper and lower limbs are thin, disproportionately thin. Other manifestations: hypertension, muscle atrophy, acne, purplish striae - stripes of skin stretching.

Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome is a condition of increased concentration of cortisol in the blood. The disease is hyperplasia or a tumor of the pituitary gland, which produces a lot of ACTH. In turn, ACTH increases the activity of the adrenal glands and leads to hypercortisolism. Treatment is radiation therapy or removal of one of the adrenal glands. In severe cases, both glands are removed, followed by glucocorticoid replacement therapy.



Typical clinical picture of Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

This group of diseases is quite rare, they are genetically determined. Depending on the gene that can be changed, the disease may not manifest itself at all, or it may lead to changes incompatible with life.

The condition is rather poorly understood and has no specific treatment. Therapy is reduced to symptomatic - aimed at eliminating the manifestations of the disease.

Adrenaline and norepinephrine, their functions

Adrenaline and norepinephrine are called catecholamines, they are synthesized by the adrenal medulla, they regulate human activity during a stressful period.

Adrenaline is the hormone of fear, and norepinephrine is responsible for rage. Their biological effects are quite similar:

• increase in the frequency and strength of heart contractions;
• spasm of peripheral vessels and increased blood pressure;
• increased frequency and depth of breathing;
• anti-insulin action - increases blood glucose levels due to gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis.

Adrenaline is released in greater quantities at the time of fright, strong excitement. The skin turns pale and cold, the heart begins to beat faster, the blood vessels of the muscles expand. Due to this, the body's endurance increases, adaptive reactions are launched.

Norepinephrine has a similar effect, but it is produced in a moment of rage.

Frequent prolonged release of catecholamines leads to exhaustion and chronic fatigue. A pathological condition accompanied by such effects is pheochromocytoma, a benign tumor of the adrenal glands that produces catecholamines in an increased amount. The condition requires removal of the glandular tumor. It will not work to reduce the production of adrenaline and noradrenaline without surgical intervention with such a pathology.

Prolactin

Prolactin stimulates the production of milk in the mammary gland and its growth in a woman during pregnancy. After childbirth, the breasts are filled with milk and ready to perform their function. High level prolactin is provided by mechanical irritation of the nipple by the child.

Prolactin is involved in the regulation of stress processes in both women and men. Studies show that it has an analgesic effect, reduces the threshold of sensitivity. Prolactin rises in extreme situations, contributes to the mobilization of the body's capabilities.

So, various biologically active substances are responsible for the regulation of vital processes. Hormones that affect the functions of the body at the time of stress are glucocorticoids, catecholamines - adrenaline and norepinephrine - and prolactin.

Cortisol increases the sensitivity of the nervous system to irritation, excites, causes anxiety. Adrenaline is released into the blood at the moment of fear, forming a defensive reaction "fight or flight". Norepinephrine creates a similar effect, but causes a more violent, aggressive behavior. Prolactin regulates not only the process of feeding the mother of the child, but also has an analgesic effect.

Stress can be caused by various troubles. It is worth noting that good deeds, relaxation, exercise, essential oils help to defeat stress, but in no case should you fight stress with food.

To understand why stress overtakes us, we need to understand the state of stress, which is often mixed with anxiety and depression.

Stress is our body's natural response to external stimuli. Often the noise conflict situations at work and in the family are causes of stress. It should be noted that as long as our body is able to respond to these stimuli, there is no need to worry, but if the body succumbs to these aggressors and cannot withstand their "pressure", you should be wary.

Anxiety, resistance, impotence

Stress has three phases - anxiety, resistance and impotence.
Anxiety is an immediate response to a stimulus. The alarm signal starts at the level of the hypothalamus, which is responsible for our emotions. In response to an alarm signal, the adrenal glands produce adrenaline and norepinephrine nerve cells, which allow a person to instinctively respond to a stressful situation - both psychologically and physically. A person begins to accelerate the heart and respiratory rhythms, increases blood flow to the muscles and brain, and this provokes insomnia. To combat these unpleasant symptoms, the hypothalamus stimulates the synthesis of another hormone - cortisol, which gives an active rebuff to stress by increasing the synthesis of sugar. Thus, for protection, our body mobilizes all its energy reserves. At this stage, some psychosomatic symptoms often appear, such as arterial hypertension, pain, pressure (urticaria). In the end, prolonged resistance and intense stress on the body's defense system lead to the fact that our body weakens to such an extent that it becomes powerless against stress and turns into a fertile ground for the development of various diseases.

When is it time to sound the alarm? How to determine that a person is really stressed?

Unlike anxiety and depression, stress goes away along with the cause that caused it. For example, a person whose stress was caused by work easily gets rid of it during the holidays. However, you should be wary if the stress does not go away even in a new environment, regardless of whether the cause that caused the stress has been eliminated or not. In this case we are talking It's not about stress, it's about anxiety. And if the symptoms are still noticeable and the condition worsens, anxiety develops into depression. Depression differs from stress and anxiety in that in a depressed state, a person’s activity decreases, a breakdown is felt, and interest in everything disappears.

Do you feel chronic fatigue, you are tormented by insomnia, you are indifferent to everything that happens around you, little things unsettle you, you cannot concentrate on work, you have one desire - to be left alone so that no one bothers you, you have irritability and aggression, you Do you constantly smoke and use alcohol or other stimulants? It is worth alerting if you have found at least three or four signs of the above. Stress can cause cardiovascular disease, hypertension, heart attack, ulcers, colitis, Crohn's disease, asthma, various dermatitis, eczema, because stress weakens the immune system. With stress, our body either fights or succumbs to it. Often the causes of stress are the following factors: pollution environment, traffic jams, extraneous noise on the roads, strained professional relationships.

There are people who lose their appetite from stress and begin to lose weight, because the biological reactions that provoke stress consume a lot of energy. Thus, we can say that stress is a means to lose weight. But for most people, stress causes a backlash, that is, people fight stress with food: they consume large amounts of chocolate, cakes, sweets and other foods rich in sugar and fat, and often abuse alcohol. All this can lead to significant weight gain and even obesity. These overwhelming desires can lead to bulimia in almost a third of stressed women. As for men, they are less susceptible to this temptation.

Stress is a kind of reaction of the human body, manifested under the influence of various factors. As stressors - provocateurs are exogenous and endogenous factors that create increased demands on the body, which gives a response in the form of structural, physical and biochemical adaptation to the situation. Under the influence of any stressogen, an unusual reaction occurs, manifested by a jump in blood pressure, increased heart rate, and an increase in the concentration of corticosteroids in the blood.

How does blood composition change?

A general or biochemical blood test is a reliable diagnostic tool that reflects the work of the body and the provision of its functions. Due to the activation of the adrenal glands during stress, the blood formula changes.

The following criteria are used as change markers:

• leukocytes - a decrease is characteristic;
• – a significant decrease in concentration;
• monocytes - increase;
• neutrophils - segmented - increase, stab - decrease;
• basophils - decrease from normal level by 60%.

After eliminating the alarm, the listed indicators quickly return to normal in a short time.

Attention!

The change in the composition of the blood is noticeable not only after, it has been proven that the biological fluid noticeably changes its color, namely, it brightens.

A decrease in the concentration of basophils indicates a violation of the patient's thyroid gland, and an increase in the mass of eosinophils always indicates the activation of the adrenal cortex. at the same time, the level of sugar and hemoglobin increases markedly, and the level of sugar and hemoglobin remains the same.

Psychologists say that living in constant contact with stress and anxiety is dangerous. Such changes affect all systems, therefore it is important to correct the patient's well-being in time. The treatment method is simple - the first results are noticeable after several consultations, so you can’t hesitate in the matter, you can sign up for a psychotherapist at https://mydoc.ru/specializations/psihoterapevt. The doctor will select a treatment regimen that eliminates stress and restores normal well-being.

When they talk about the stress hormone, they usually mean cortisol, since it is its level that increases in the blood even in response to minor problems and minor troubles. But in a more serious, crisis situation, two more hormones, adrenaline and norepinephrine, are activated at the same time. Together, they have a very powerful effect on the body and help it cope with stress.

When a person finds himself in a stressful situation, the endocrine system reacts instantly and releases hormones into the blood, the main action of which is to mobilize the body and help it overcome the problem. At the same time, the main biologically active substances acting in this direction are produced by the adrenal glands, which are two paired endocrine glands located immediately above the kidneys.

The adrenal glands consist of two parts and produce hormones that act in three directions. Biologically active substances that are synthesized in the glomerular zone affect the metabolism, hormones produced in the reticular zone affect the functioning of the reproductive system. Those that help the body overcome crisis situations and cope with stress are produced by the zona fasciculus (cortisol) and the adrenal medulla (adrenaline and norepinephrine).

Adrenaline and norepinephrine

In a stressful situation, adrenaline and noradrenaline increase and speed up the heartbeat, excite the nervous system, increase blood pressure, constrict blood vessels, dilate pupils, turn off all organs that are responsible for digestion to ensure maximum blood flow to the brain. To provide the body with the required amount of energy, hormones increase the conversion of glycogen into glucose.

As a result, tired muscles forget about fatigue, and a “second wind” opens up: working capacity increases, mental activity improves, the situation is perceived more clearly, a general rise in tone and a huge surge of energy are observed.

At the same time, adrenaline is considered a hormone of fear, norepinephrine - rage, together they perform a function called "attack or flight", which allows a person to quickly react, make a decision and take actions that he could not have done in his normal state. The action of these hormones lasts no more than five minutes, then their level subsides and returns to normal. If this does not happen, their prolonged influence greatly depletes the body.

Functions of cortisol

Cortisol has a slightly different effect: while the hormones that the adrenal medulla produces mobilize all the forces of the body in order to cope with the situation, the glucocorticoid (cortisol belongs to this group) has the strongest anti-stress and anti-shock effect. Its amount increases dramatically during stress, blood loss, trauma, in a state of shock: thus, the body adapts to the situation.

As a result, blood pressure rises, the sensitivity of the muscular middle layer of the heart and the walls of blood vessels to the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline increases, while cortisone reduces the sensitivity of receptors if the hormones of the medulla rise to a very high level.

Cortisol, like adrenaline and norepinephrine, increases the amount of glucose in the blood. If the hormones of the medulla simply convert glycogen into sugar, the action of cortisol is wider: it promotes the formation of glucose from non-carbohydrate compounds, inhibits the uptake and utilization of sugar by peripheral tissue cells, and also prevents glucose from being broken down. Cortisol contributes to the retention of water, chlorine, sodium in the body and enhances the excretion of calcium and potassium.

Glucocorticoid actively affects the activity of other hormones. For example, it inhibits the synthesis of growth hormone, delaying anabolic processes and linear growth, reduces the sensitivity of cells to thyroid hormones, as well as androgens and estrogens.

Since cortisol stimulates the production of glucose, it has a suppressive effect on the hormone insulin, whose main function is to lower blood sugar levels and deliver glucose and other nutrients to all body cells.

Another difference between glucocorticoids is that if, as a result of the action of adrenaline and norepinephrine, fat reserves are burned, and a person feels hungry after a decline in these hormones, the opposite picture is observed here: cortisol increases the breakdown of proteins and promotes the accumulation of fats. If a person stays in a stressful situation for a long time, cortisol is constantly kept at a high level, which contributes to weight gain.

Exceeding the norm

Although adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol have a positive effect on the immune system in the first seconds after the release, since they have the ability to reduce inflammation, resist allergies, viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, if their level does not subside after a while, all their benefits disappear.

They will continue to slow down the activity internal organs, systems, enzymes, hormones that have been blocked in order for the body to cope with the situation. Over time, this will provoke serious disruptions in the body.

First of all, the state of the nervous system will worsen, which will have an extremely negative impact on the psyche: a person will become irritable, restless, nervous, will no longer perceive the situation adequately, and will be prone to panic attacks.

The main culprit for this condition is an increase in glucose levels: hormones will continue to promote its production, while the action of insulin, the only substance that can reduce its level, will be blocked by cortisol. This will lead to an excess of energy in the body, which will need to be thrown out, which will manifest itself in nervous disorders.

Prolonged exposure to adrenaline will disrupt the functioning of the cardiovascular system, provoke the development of kidney failure and other diseases of the internal organs. There will also be a decrease in body weight, constant dizziness, a person will feel the need for constant action.

When it comes to minor troubles that disrupt the nervous system several times a day, but do not require large releases of adrenaline, cortisol predominates in the blood. It is the stress hormone that causes obesity, because under its influence a person feels a constant feeling of hunger (for example, the body replenishes the reserves that have been converted into glucose).

Given that cortisol blocks the work of many hormones that are actively involved in the life of the body, if stress becomes chronic, this can provoke:

• high blood pressure;
• malfunctions of the nervous and cardiovascular systems;
• deterioration of the thyroid gland, which means a decrease in the synthesis of thyroid hormones and calcitonin, which are actively involved in metabolism, which will lead to failures in all body systems;
• hyperglycemia - an increased content of glucose in the blood, the consequence of the disease is diabetes mellitus;
• fragility of bones;
• lowered immunity;
• tissue destruction.

It is possible to accurately determine whether there is a hormonal imbalance in the body and how large its deviations from the norm are, using a blood test for hormones. It must be borne in mind that there are no drugs aimed at lowering the level of adrenaline or cortisol. The doctor may prescribe drugs designed to calm the nervous system. But this is recommended only as a last resort, for a start, more gentle methods are advised.

Rebalancing

To restore hormonal balance and normalize the level of adrenaline, norepinephrine and cortisol, it is necessary to exclude stressful situations. If a person is unable to do this, it is required to take actions that reduce the load on the nervous system. Reduce their concentration in the blood of sports or moderate exercise, long walks, proper rest. Yoga exercises, contemplation, auto-training help well.

Phytotherapy with appropriate herbs (mint, valerian, sage) has a calming effect on the nervous system. A diet rich in vitamins and minerals with an emphasis on vegetables and fruits and minimal meat consumption is recommended, as animals experience extreme stress at the time of death, which leads to the release of appropriate hormones into the blood. It is also undesirable to get involved in products with large quantity sugar, since the concentration of glucose in the blood is already quite high.

Also, doctors recommend communication, this will help to avoid depression, because a person, being in a stressful situation, tends to withdraw into himself, and minimizes communication with others. Talking to friends and acquaintances often helps to reduce internal tension, even if they are not able to help.

Helps to put the nervous system in order and reduce the level of stress hormones, favorite activities: drawing, music, water procedures, hobby. It is impossible to substitute concepts and give preference to smoking or alcohol: they will not bring benefits, but they will provoke the development of alcohol and nicotine addiction.

What can cause stress, hormones, how they affect the body, their functions, cortisol, prolactin, adrenaline, causes, consequences, how to reduce.

Not only bacteria, viruses, congenital or acquired pathologies of internal organs are to blame for the occurrence of diseases in humans.

Many diseases develop under the influence of prolonged stress. Resilience has received a lot of attention in recent years.

And this is due to the fact that modern people often have to be in stressful situations, as their personal and social life often takes place in extreme conditions.

General concept of stress

The term stress in medicine refers to an unfavorable, negative load on the human body, leading to various psychological and physiological reactions.

From the point of view of morphological and functional development, stress is characterized by an adaptation syndrome, which has three stages:

• The first stage is the anxiety reaction.. The usual resistance of the body decreases, a state of shock occurs, during which a person loses the ability to partially or completely control his actions and thoughts. At the first stage, protective mechanisms are also included in the work.
• The second stage of resistance or otherwise resistance. The tension observed during the functioning of all vital systems leads to the fact that the body begins to adapt (adapt) to new conditions for it. At this stage, the individual can already make decisions that should help him cope with stress.
• The third stage - exhaustion. It manifests itself in the failure of defense mechanisms, which ultimately leads to a pathological disturbance in the interaction of especially important functions of the body. If stress passes into the third stage, then it becomes chronic, capable of giving impetus to the development of many diseases.

The severity of stress is determined by the severity of the main symptoms, these are:

• Physiological manifestations. Stress leads to headaches, pain in the chest, back, changes in blood pressure, redness of certain parts of the body. Prolonged stressful situations cause eczema, atopic dermatitis, stomach ulcers.
• Psychological manifestations. Decreased appetite, increased nervousness and irritability, decreased interest in life, rapid excitability, constant expectation of possible troubles, nervous tics, depressive states- psychological manifestations of stress.

In psychology, there are two types of stress:

• Eustress or "useful" stress for the body. The development of the human body is impossible without the influence of minor stressful situations. Morning rise, hobbies, study, meetings with loved ones - all this leads to the production of stress hormones, but if their number is within the normal range, then this only benefits the body.
• Distress or negative stress. They arise at the moment of critical stress of the body and their manifestations correspond to all traditional ideas about stress.

What causes stress

The human body enters a state of stress under the influence of events occurring at work, in personal life, in society.

Stress is often experienced by those who are in emergencies. In stressful situations, identical biochemical changes occur in the body, their main goal is to extinguish the growing tension.

Stress changes in the body occur with the participation of two systems, these are:

• Sympathoadrenal system.
• Pituitary-hypothalamic-adrenal.

Their work is controlled by the hypothalamus and higher parts of the brain, and intense work leads to the release of certain substances called stress hormones.

The task of these hormones is to mobilize the physical resources of the body in order to offset the influence of factors that cause stress.

The main stress hormones and their features

Under the influence of stressful situations in the body, the activity of the main functional systems and their normal functioning change dramatically.

At this time, certain hormones play a major role in maintaining the changed status.

They are secreted by the endocrine glands, especially the adrenal glands.

Under stress, the adrenal cortex releases stress hormones into the bloodstream, belonging to four groups:

Not only the adrenal glands produce stress hormones. The hormone involved in metabolic reactions, accelerating biochemical reactions and increasing attention, is produced by the thyroid gland and pituitary gland.

In the thyroid gland, thyroxine and triiodothyronine are formed, in the anterior lobes of the pituitary gland - growth hormone, prolactin, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, ACTH.

Stress hormones, especially adrenaline, prolactin and cortisol, prepare the human body for the development of unusual, complex conditions by turning on certain mechanisms.

During stress, blood sugar and blood pressure increase, this is required to provide the necessary nutrition to the brain and muscles.

Such changes cause fear and panic and at the same time prepare a person to confront the threat.

How stress hormones affect the body, their functions

A stressful situation at first leads to the fact that a person has confusion and increased anxiety.

These states are considered the preparation of the body for more pronounced changes.

Information about a threat or a non-standard situation enters the brain, is processed there, and through the nerve endings enters the vital organs.

This leads to the fact that stress hormones begin to enter the bloodstream in large quantities.

If a person experiences physical stress more norepinephrine is released. When mentally stressed, adrenaline is produced.

Each of the stress hormones triggers its own mechanism of action, which affects the appearance of certain symptoms.

Cortisol

Cortisol begins to be actively produced in emergency situations, with a lack of nutrients in the body, with increased physical activity.

It is considered normal when the level of cortisol is within 10 μg / dl, with a pronounced state of shock, this level can reach 180 μg / dl.

An increase in cortisol is a protective reaction of the body that allows a person to make the right decisions faster in stressful situations.

To achieve this, additional energy is needed. Therefore, high cortisol levels lead to the following changes:

• To the conversion of amino acids in muscle tissue into glucose, which is necessary for energy release and stress relief.
• to insulin metabolism.
• To anti-inflammatory reactions resulting from the fact that the permeability of the walls of blood vessels decreases and the production of inflammatory mediators is inhibited.
• To the immunoregulatory effect on the body. Cortisol reduces the activity of allergens and lymphocytes.

Cortisol, with increased production, destroys hippocampal neurons, which negatively affects the functioning of the brain as a whole.

Prolactin

Prolactin has anabolic and metabolic effects on the body. Under the influence of this hormone, metabolic processes change, and protein synthesis is accelerated.

Prolactin also has an immunoregulatory effect, regulates water-salt metabolism, mental functions and behavioral responses organism.

Adrenalin

As already mentioned, adrenaline begins to actively stand out at the moment of severe anxiety, fear, rage, panic.

The main action of adrenaline is a bronchodilator and antispasmodic, in addition, this hormone is also an antidiuretic.

It is possible to determine the moment of release of adrenaline in large quantities by the expanding pupil.

Under the influence of adrenaline, the frequency and depth of breathing decreases, the walls of internal organs relax, the motor function of the stomach is inhibited, and less digestive enzymes and juices are released.

At the same time, the contractility of skeletal muscles increases, if you do a urine test at the time of a strong stressful situation, you can detect sodium and potassium ions.

The release of norepinephrine causes an increase in blood pressure, but the acceleration of the heart rate does not occur. Norepinephrine reduces diuresis, reduces the secretory activity of the stomach, increases the secretion of saliva and relaxes the smooth muscles located in the walls of the intestine.

Consequences of elevated levels of cortisol and prolactin

More negative changes in the body occur if a large amount of cortisol or prolactin is constantly in the blood.

If cortisol levels remain at a consistently high level for a long time, then this becomes the reason:

• Decreased muscle mass. The body synthesizes energy not from incoming food, but from muscle tissue.
• The percentage of body fat increases. With elevated cortisol, a person constantly wants sweets, and this provokes weight gain.
• The appearance of folds on the abdomen. When cortisol levels are high, fat deposits accumulate inside the abdomen, they push out the muscle layer, and the figure takes on the shape of an apple.
• Diabetes mellitus type 2. Under the influence of cortisol, the production of insulin decreases and at the same time more glucose appears in the blood due to muscle breakdown. That is, blood sugar becomes almost twice as high.
• Decreased testosterone levels.
• Increased risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies. A high level of cortisol causes the body to constantly work with overloads, which negatively affects the state of blood vessels and the heart muscle.
• Osteoporosis. Cortisol impairs the absorption of collagen and calcium, slows down the regeneration processes, which causes increased bone fragility.

The hormone prolactin is responsible for the production of progesterone. Greater value this hormone has for the body of a woman.

In stressful situations, prolactin strongly affects metabolic reactions and mechanisms that regulate the water content in the body.

With depression, prolactin is produced in large quantities and this causes a variety of pathologies, including the development of cancer cells.

Excessive amount of prolactin becomes the reason for the lack of ovulation, not carrying a pregnancy, mastopathy.

Prolactin is also important for the health of men, if it is not enough, then sexual function may suffer, there is a predisposition to the formation of adenoma.

Causes of increased stress hormones in the body

Stress hormones begin to be produced in the human body during stressful situations.

A sharp production of hormones, mainly adrenaline, may be due to emergencies - an earthquake, an accident, a thermal injury.

Adrenaline is produced in excess during skydiving, while practicing and other extreme sports.

A prolonged or even permanent increase in cortisol, prolactin occurs due to:

• Severe, prolonged illness.
• Loss of a relative or loved one.
• Divorce.
• Deterioration of the financial situation.
• Problems at work.
• Retirement.
• Problems with the law.
• sexual dysfunctions.

In women, stress hormones can start to build up after pregnancy.

Sometimes, after the birth of a child, the situation only gets worse, which can lead to severe psychosis or postpartum depression.

Chronically elevated levels of cortisol may be due to:

• Intermittent fasting or strict diets.
• Wrong organization physical activity. Sports should be practiced under the guidance of an experienced coach who knows how the level of training affects the critical increase in cortisone and can neutralize this harmful effect by selecting the right training complexes.
• Abuse of coffee. A cup of strong coffee raises cortisol levels by 30%. Therefore, if you drink several cups of the drink during the day, this will lead to constantly elevated levels of the stress hormone.

The situation is aggravated if a person constantly lacks sleep, works a lot and does not know how to relax.

Manifestations of increased stress hormones sometimes lead to severe and not always reversible changes.

In some cases, people prefer to cope with stress themselves, muffling the psycho-emotional manifestations with alcohol, drug use, gambling.

How to reduce

The only way to reduce the release of stress hormones in the body is to minimize the impact of stress. For this you need:

• Follow healthy lifestyle life, that is, do not overwork, sleep well at night, walk in the fresh air.
• Do sports. Training should be regular, but they should be given a maximum of 50 minutes per day.
• Avoid stress. To learn how to adequately respond to negative loads, you can learn yoga, meditation, use various relaxation techniques. With increased susceptibility, it is better to refuse to view negative news and materials.
• Learn how to make your diet so that the body receives all the substances it needs, and the digestive system is not overloaded. Reduce your caffeine intake, eat more plant foods, drink more water.
• Smile more often. Watching a comedy, chatting with friends, genuine laughter - all these are positive emotions that do not allow cortisol levels to rise sharply.

There will always be stressful situations in the life of any of us. And how the body reacts to the release of stress hormones depends on the person himself.

Therefore, you must definitely learn not to react sharply to negative factors and, if necessary, do not hesitate to seek help from a psychologist.